At the moment, I am putting money towards the mortgage payoff using the same budget as when I was saving for my deposit. I'm already used to living on that budget and not feeling deprived, so I figure I may as well continue while the mortgage is still fun and new and there are no other goals (ie kids) competing for my attention.

I decided to the move the goalposts because it became obvious that I was going soon going to pass 10k just with my budgeted contributions. 15k will be a slight reach, so it will be exciting and rewarding if I can make it.

I also bought a bike this month and have started riding to work most days. I started this to improve my fitness but I also wonder if this will save me money long-term (train fares, gym membership, health costs?). I have a not-very-serious goal of making the bike pay for itself within a year through reduced public transport costs - we shall see

The move was incredibly stressful and I'm flip-flopping between being excited about this whole home-ownership business to being completely overwhelmed by the responsibility and all the improvements we'd like to do. ONE STEP AT A TIME!

So, I thought I'd take some time out from stressing about paint colours and skirting boards to do a bit of a retrospective on 2012's finances.

What I achieved:

Bought my first home - the end result of 7 years of saving.

Paid a grand total of $16,548 off the mortgage, which is where I would be after 5 years and 1 month of minimum payments.

Took an overseas trip with money I'd saved, (had an amazing time), stayed within budget, and saved $1000 towards the next one.

Learned a little bit about investing and the share market, something I previously knew nothing about.

What I learned about money and myself:

Tracking spending, creating a million different sub-accounts and updating my goal spreadsheets has been both soothing and exciting. It hasn't made me obsessed with money or taken up all my spare time. I'm clearly a bit of a control freak, but if it only takes an hour a fortnight and it keeps me on track, I'm going to embrace it.

I'm blessed to have a partner who understands and shares my attitude to money and financial security.

I can have (almost) anything, but I can't have everything. Conscious spending on the things that matter most makes me feel rich.

Fortnight is an old term -- it has condensed over many centuries from the original term "fourteen-night," meaning two weeks. (Kinda like "Goodbye" originally was "God be with you.") I've always thought it sounded cool. But I'm geeky that way.

Fortnight is an old term -- it has condensed over many centuries from the original term "fourteen-night," meaning two weeks. (Kinda like "Goodbye" originally was "God be with you.") I've always thought it sounded cool. But I'm geeky that way.

Haha, this is funny because I was just reading a comment by chasingthegoodlife in another thread that included the word "fortnight" and I planned to look it up once I finished reading all the new comments in this forum. Now I don't have to -- thanks!

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